Devoted fans of the cult classic sitcom Malcolm in the Middle have been left reeling after the first trailer for the hotly anticipated sequel series revealed a major casting change. The beloved character of Dewey will be played by a new actor, as the original star has chosen not to return.
Trailer Reveals a Key Absence
On Monday, Hulu and Disney Plus unveiled the first 40-second trailer for Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair. The clip gave viewers a welcome glimpse of Frankie Muniz back as Malcolm, alongside Justin Berfield and Christopher Masterson as brothers Reese and Francis. Bryan Cranston and Jane Kaczmarek also return as the iconic parents, Hal and Lois.
However, the trailer confirmed widespread speculation: Erik Per Sullivan, who played the quirky youngest brother Dewey throughout the show's original seven-season run from 2000 to 2006, was conspicuously absent. Instead, the role will be taken over by actor Caleb Ellsworth-Clark.
Why the Original Dewey Chose Not to Return
The news of Sullivan's absence was not entirely unexpected. Earlier this year, Bryan Cranston revealed on the Fly on the Wall podcast that he had personally spoken with Sullivan about the revival. Cranston recounted their conversation, stating that Sullivan was supportive but firm in his decision.
"I talked to Erik and I said, 'Hey, we got the show! It's gonna come back.' He goes, 'Oh, that's fantastic!'" Cranston shared. "And I go, 'Yeah, so we're looking forward to having you back.' He goes, 'Oh, no, no, I don't want to do it.'"
Cranston added that Sullivan, who he described as "really, really smart," is currently pursuing a master's degree at Harvard University and has stepped away from acting. "He said, 'Oh God, no, I haven't acted since I was nine or something. So, I'm not into it,'" Cranston explained.
Fan Backlash and Social Media Heartache
The reaction from the show's passionate fanbase was swift and emotional across social media platforms. Many expressed profound disappointment that the revival would not feature the complete original cast.
One fan directly questioned, "Where's Dewey?" while others criticised the decision to recast the role entirely. A common sentiment was that the character should have been written out of the story rather than portrayed by a different actor.
"Should've just written Dewey out of it rather than recasting him, throws the whole show off," one observer commented. Another agreed, writing, "Don't wanna see this new Malcolm in the Middle with the recast of Dewey… they could've just written him to be somewhere else."
Some tried to find a silver lining, with a fan stating, "Sad Dewey got recast but I can't wait to see this family back together again! Gimme a nice Hal freakout moment and I'll be happy."
What to Expect from the Revival
Announced in December 2024, the sequel will be a four-episode revival. The confirmed returning cast includes:
- Frankie Muniz as Malcolm
- Bryan Cranston as Hal
- Jane Kaczmarek as Lois
- Justin Berfield as Reese
- Christopher Masterson as Francis
They will be joined by new cast members Kiana Madeira as Malcolm's girlfriend, and Vaughan Murrae and Keeley Karsten in undisclosed roles, alongside Caleb Ellsworth-Clark as Dewey.
Reflecting on the filming experience, Frankie Muniz admitted the project surpassed his expectations. "I'm not exaggerating when I say filming this reboot, like I loved it so much, way more than I ever thought I could have," he said on a recent podcast.
He acknowledged the challenge of condensing two decades of story into four half-hour episodes but remained optimistic, adding, "I think people are going to be very happy with what they came up with." Whether fans will embrace the new face of Dewey, however, remains to be seen.
